Home Alone -- Ambassador Christmas Advent -- December 9, 2018

Here's the discussion guide for this Sunday's sermon from the movie, Home Alone. Pastor Mike Gleim will be preaching so come prepared to be blessed.
Remember that in Anaheim, there will be a brunch after the service with activities for the family. Come for some good food and enjoy time together.

A Christmas Story--Ambassador Advent Series -- December 2, 2018

For Advent 2018, Ambassador is doing a series called A Christmas Story. We will be looking at the truths of the gospel from Christmas movies over the past century.

Here's the discussion guide for you to use in your small groups.

Hope you have a fantastic Advent this year.

Blessings.
Ethan

Follow Me --- Being a disciple in the world --- November 25, 2018

As we come to an end of our series, it is time to think about how it all goes together.
We must be disciples who connect to Jesus and one another, grow in our understanding and application of God's Word, Serve in the church, and multiply disciples.

This last sermon will help us all put it together.

Here's the discussion guide.

Follow Me -- Multiply: Being a Disciplemaking Church -- November 18, 2018

Greetings Small Group Leaders,
Here is the sermon discussion guide for this coming Sunday. Pastor Bryan Dwyer from Alpine Church in Ogden, UT will be speaking at our church this Sunday. He will be speaking from his heart and experience on being a disciplemaking church. I've been to his church and know that he so practicing what he preaches.

You can see what he has been doing at www.pursuegod.org

He will also be speaking Saturday morning at our Sunkist Campus on how to be disciples who make disciples. I REALLY would love to see you all there, as Small Groups are huge in making disciples.
9 AM-12 PM with optional lunch from 12 PM-1 PM.
No RSVP necessary. Hope to see you there.

Here's the discussion guide.

Follow Me -- Serve The World and Gifts that Serve The Church

Hi Small Group leaders and discussion guides!

I apologize that I did not post last weeks discussion guide on the website last week. My bad and I'm sorry if it caused you any grief or stress.

Now I'm posting last weeks discussion as well as this weeks discussion. Both are on Service, but last week was more general and this week is more focused on using your gifts to serve the church.

This week, I would like you to help your members find a place to serve and use their gifts. If they don't know what their gift is, you can sit with them and help them identify the way God has made them or you can give them a link to a spiritual gift inventory that might help. This is not infallible and not always perfectly accurate, but it can be very helpful to narrow you in on some ways you find joy in your service.

Here's one link with a pdf download of a survey they can take.


 Here's the study guide for this week. 


If anyone wants to serve and they don't know where or how, please send them to Pastor Ethan, Pastor Mike, Pastor Jason, or any of our staff. We'd love to help them find a place to serve. And just one more thing: if anyone wants to teach our children the Word of God in Brea, there is a current need for teachers and assistants. Please contact Lydia Wildes or Daniel Teeter.

Follow Me - Grow Through Generosity - 2 Cor. 9:6-8

Being a disciple of Jesus is learning to think and behave more like Jesus and less like yourself and/or our secular culture. Just as in suffering, we need to learn how to give away those things we think belong to us (our money, time and belongings). In reality, they belong to God and are for his use in building his kingdom.
Let us consider how to grow and become more like Jesus as we learn the secret of generosity.

Download the Small Group Discussion Guide.

Follow Me - Grow through Suffering - James 1:2-5

This Sunday Pastor Ray will speak on the power of suffering in our discipleship. There is nothing that can shape our lives spiritually like a hospital bed. I had a professor in college say that in interviewing people about their spiritual journey, so many people talk about how long term sickness was so instrumental in shaping them to be like Jesus.  Is the same true about you?

Here's the discussion guide to help you in your discussion. Remember, you don't have to use every question. Some of them are saying the same thing a different way. Have fun and enjoy where the discussion takes you.

Follow Me: Grow In God's Word - October 14

This coming Sunday, Pastor Ray will be continuing the Follow Me series on Growing in God's Word. He will talk about the importance of God's Word in the life of a disciple. We'll be encouraging our people to abide in God's Word on a regular basis.

Here are some resources you may want to know about:

The Gospel Project

Pursue God

Hope you have a great small group! God bless.
Ethan


Download the Small Group Study Guide Here.

Follow Me: Connecting with One Another - Romans 12:9-21 - October 7, 2018

Good Day Small Group Leaders,
This coming Sunday we'll follow up the section on Connect.  This is part of the discipleship process for this series:


Connect    Grow    Serve     Multiply

Last week, Pastor Mike spoke on Connecting to God and this week Pastor Ethan will speak on Connecting with one another. This is a crucial part of our discipleship as we cannot practice loving others if we don't know and interact with other Christians.

I hope this helps you as you connect with the body of Christ and your small group.

Download the Discussion Here.

Follow Me: Connecting To God September 30, 2018

Good afternoon small group leaders.
This coming Sunday Pastor Mike Gleim will be preaching on Connecting To God. He will take a good hard look at the gospel through Paul's eyes from 1 Cor. 15:1-11.
As disciples of Jesus, we must know the gospel. We will take the rest of our lives loving and appreciating the gospel, but we must know the building blocks of the gospel now. We will look into the following:
Jesus: life, death, burial, resurrection, and grace!

Hope you enjoy the study.

Download the Leader's Guide.

Follow Me: A journey of a disciple. Small Group Discission Guide

Hey small group leaders,
Here is the updated Small Group Leaders Guide on our current series. It includes a discussion for this coming Sunday as Pastor Ray has two guests with him to have a discussion on discipleship. It won't be the normal sermon, but three generations to talk about discipleship. I hope you enjoy.

God bless you and hope to see several of you at our optional small group leaders lunch/discussion on Sunday at the Huangs house.  You can register here.

Download the Small Group Discussion Guide.

Follow Me

Hi Everyone,
Sorry this is late adn I'm promising I will get the next one up earlier.
This is the small group discussion to the series Follow Me.
It is in intro to discipleship.

I would encourage you to talk with your new groups about the following things:

1. Who are we? What do we want to do this year? What is our mission, focus as we become disciples of Jesus.
2. This is YOUR group. What do you want to do? How can you use your gifts to serve the group?
3. How do you need to be loved or cared for? How can we start in our group to care for each ohter?

Thanks and let me know how it goes.

Here's the small gourp guide.

Ethan

Psalm 127 Discussion Guide

Hi everyone, I hope thi summer is treating you well. It's been a busy week getting ready for the fall.
Here's the discussion guide for Psalm 127.

God bless.

Psalms 119 and 121 Small Group Discussion Guides

Good afternoon everyone. I hope you are staying cool and finding relief from the heat.

I apologize that I forgot to post Psalm 119 last week and I hope it didn't throw any of you off too much. I want to thank Christian Vang for all his work the past few weeks writing the questions we have been using for this series. It is great to see people use their gifts for the kingdom and to bless the church.

Here's the discussion guide for two Psalms:


Psalm 119 Discussion Guide

Pslam 121 Discussion Guide

Paslm 51 A Song of Confession July 29, 2018

Greetings from Washington DC. It is raining like crazy here and my tour of the monuments was canceled tonight. Instead, we drove to Maryland and had dinner over there. It was still nice as I was walking around in my $8 rain poncho.  I am here for some training on Religous Liberty and it has been excellent to hear and learn what is happning in our nation. Please continue to pray for our country and our free expression of our faith.

Thanks to Cree Vang who is supplying our small group questions from Psalm 51. I hope you enjoy discussing this famous and rich psalm.

See you on Sunday.

Small Group Discussion Guide

Psalm 73 Why do the wicked prosper? 22 July 18

Why do the wicked prosper? How do I turn my envy into worship?
Read and discuss Psalm 73 and find out how Asaph did.

Here's the discussion guide.

July 15 Psalm 37 Sermon Discussion Guide

Hi leaders,
Sorry I am late posting this. It was written by Cree Vang but I filed to post it earlier. Sorry.
I hope you enjoy this coming Sunday's sermon by Pastor Ray.

I hope you have a great discussion. I am praying for you all!

Discussion Guide

July 8 2018 Song of Repentance Psalm 32

Hi small group leaders,
Here's this coming Sunday's discussion guide on Psalm 32. It is a great Psalm of repentance and important to study. It is similar to Psalm 51 which we'll cover in a couple weeks.

It reminds me of the effects of holding on to our sin and the benefits of confession. Please consider the importance of daily confession of the "big" and "small" sins we commit each day.  Please be in prayer for Daniel Wassink as he prepares his message.

God bless your week and your discussion.

Ethan

Discussion Guide

July 1, 2018 Psalm 27 Conifidently Before The Lord

Hi Small Group Leaders,

I hope you are enjoying summer and the beautiful weather.

This coming Sunday we'll delve into Psalm 27 which is a psalm about being confident in God's presence and protection during dark moments in life. I think you'll enjoy reading and discussing this psalm.

Here's the Discussion Guide.

Thank you very much.
Ethan and Cree

June 24, 2018 The Good Shepherd Psalm 23

Small Group Leaders,
This coming Sunday, Pastor Ray will attempt to preach an iconic psalm that has deep emotional feelings for many people. One reason this psalm is so popular is because it is full of imagery and easy for people to see themselves being cared for by God.
May your discussions be fruitful and a blessing to many.

My prayers are with you this week! Let me know if there is anything I can specifically lift up for you.

Leader's Discussion Guide

June 17, 2018 Psalm 19 The Heaven's and the Law

Hi everyone,
We will study Psalm 19 this summer. This was my grandfather's favorite Psalm. As a child, I would hear Grandpa Oscar read it in his thick Swedish accent to me and I always remember of him when I read this Psalm. This is a great Psalm that includes General Revelation (what everyone can know about God by seeing nature) and Special Revelation (what God reveals through the Holy Spirit in his Word).
Please enjoy this study and may it speak to your heart! I would encourage you to memorize v. 14 as I say it nearly every morning as I start my day.

Ethan

Here's the Discussion Guide.

June 10, 2018 Psalm 8 Standing In Awe of Unexpected Grace

Hi everyone,
I hope you have been enjoying the Psalms as we kicked off a new series last week. I want to encourage you to read the Psalms this summer.

If you read 5 a day, you can be done in one month.
If you read about 12 a week, you can be done by the end of the summer.

Here's the discussion for Psalm 8 coming up on this Sunday. I hope you enjoy "track 2" of the greatest hits!

June 3, 2018 Psalm 1 The Way to Find Happiness

Hi Small Group Leaders,
It is almost summer time and I'm ready for sunny weather and long afternoons.

On June 3, we start our Summer Series called Songs For the Summer: The greatest hits.  it will be a summer series on the Book of Psalms. We are choosing 13 of the greatest Psalms and will teach on a different one each week.

This Sunday we start with Psalm 1: The Way to Find Happiness.

I did not include a participants guide and I did not give the "answers" this week. I'm sorry...it was a wee bit busy!

God bless your week and you are in my prayers!

Blessings.

Psalm 1 Leader's Discussion Guide

2 Corintians 5:20 Ambassadors For Christ May 27, 2018

Hi everyone, 
This Sunday, Pastor Ray will finish the DNA series by talking about our "theme" verse, 2 Cor. 5:20.

Here's a small group leader's guide for this Sunday's sermon. I did not make a participant's guide this week as I'm on vacation. Next week, we'll start a series on Psalms.

God bless you all.

Our DNA: Multiply May 22, 2018

This coming Sunday, Pastor Ray will conclude our series on Our DNA by talking about Multiplying. We are a chruch that wants to multiply everything we do. We want to multiply churches, small groups, leaders, disciples, and much more. Out of all our DNA, this one is hard because it involves change. One thing I have learned is that most people don't like change. However, I think we all know we need it, but we don't like it. Our hope is that you come to value the DNA of multipling for the sake of God's kingdom.

Leader's Guide
Participant's Guide

Living Honorably--Mother's Day 2018

Good afternoon everyone. This Sunday is Mother's Day and we will honor all our women at our church.  We are so thankful for the ladies who fill our church and for all they do to bless us.

We will have a photo backdrop for you to take a Mother's Day picture and we'll have a gift for all our "Tea-rrific" ladies. Hope to see you Sunday.

The passage will be Roman's 12:10 which speaks about honoring everyone, but we will talk about honor and apply that to females. Of course, it is applicable to men and women, but our culture can certainly do a lot better at showing honor to our ladies.

I hope you enjoy the discussion. I did not include a participants guide, nor did I include the answers this week. Nevertheless, I think you'll have a good conversation!

God bless.

Ethan

Leader's Guide

Our DNA: Missional Matthew 28:18-20 May 6, 2018

This Sunday we will start week 2 of our DNA series: Missional

There has been a lot written about the Missional Chruch and it has been the trendy topic for the past 15 years or so. But we are not trying to be trendy, but know that God has sent us on a mission to continue the work Jesus set out to do. Jesus secured salvation for all people and our mission is to get that message out in a loving way.

Here's a great infographic on the 5 directions of the Missional Chruch. We have used three directions in the past, but these other two are really helpful as we understand the depth of our misison.

Here is this weeks Leader's Guide and the Participants Guide.

God bless you all.
Ethan

Our DNA...Multiethnic Sunday, April 29, 2018

This coming Sunday, Pastor Ray will be speaking his second message on the DNA of Ambassador Chruch. The sermon will be specifically on being a multiethnic church.  Acts 1:8 is an instruction to the disciples to take the gospel message to the ends of the earth. In Revelation 7:9, there is a multitude in heaven from every nation.  We know in heaven there will be people from every nation, language, people group. It is always our desire to start looking like heaven now. This has some challenges, but we think they are challenges worth fighting for.

Here's the leader's guide and the participant's guide. 

Please let me know if you have questions or if there is anything I can help or pray for you about.

God bless.

Leading Life Changing Small Groups Chapter 8

Here's the last installment of Cree's videos on the book, Leading Life Changing Small Groups. This chapter is great as it helps us understand God's heart to grow his community.
Watch, listen, and be challenged.
Now that we have done all the chapters, take time to review the book and see how you can deepen and mature your small group.

https://youtu.be/bOJ3Xzmsl8M

We are....Ambassador Church Matthew 16:13-20 Sunday, April 22, 2018

Can you believe we are done with the Gospel of Luke? We started it on Feb. 2, 2015:  3+ years, 8 mini-series in between, and now we are moving on. I hope you enjoyed the study of a great gospel.

Now we will be starting a short series on the Chruch. What makes Ambassador tick? What makes us unique?

Some of you have heard this series before, but many have not and it will be important for them to understand who we are as a church and where we are going.

Pastor Ray will start with a study of the church from Matthew 16.

Here's the leader's guide and the participant's guide.

Let me know how I can pray for your group and if there is any way I can help you.

God bless.

Ethan

Small Group Training Chapter 7

Here's chapter 7 of our Small Group Leaders book. Cree breaks down the chapter with some very helpful tips on building relationships in your group. Grab your book (if you have one) and follow along.
God bless your weekend!
Ethan and Cree

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D-K-88R-GJE

Sunday April 15, 2018 God's Plan to Change The World Luke 24:36-53

Hi all,
We are finishing the Gospel of Luke. After several years, we are at the end. Let's celebrate!
In the final week of Luke, the topic of being let loose to take the gospel to the world. We are called to be witnesses, not judges or prosecuting attornies. Enjoy your discussion and perhaps take some time to review the book of Luke and think of what God taught you.

Here's the Leader's Guide.
Here's the Participant's Guide.

Luke 24:13-35. The Long Road to Emmaus. April 8, 2018

Sorry for being late this week on uploading this, but here it is. Only one more lesson in Luke and then we'll move on to the Old Testament.
Hope you enjoy the lesson on the road out of Jerusalem to Emmaus. Jesus appeared to two of the lesser known disciples. They were not one of the 12, but one of the group of 70 who followed along with him. It has a lot to say about our doubts, confusion, and Christian community.

Here's the Leader's Guide.
Here's the Participant's Guide.

Luke 24:1-12 Rise Up! Easter Sunday April 1, 2018

He is Risen! He is Risen Indeed!

On Sunday, we celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!  This is the day the Lord has made.

Enjoy this wonderful passage of the empty tomb as it stuns the dissciples and has them marveling what happned to Jesus' body.  Was he alive like the angels said? Was something fishy going on?

Here's the Leader's Guide and the Participant's Guide. Enjoy your study and time with your small group.

Video: Chapter 6 of Leading Life Changing Small Groups

Hi leaders,
Here's another video from chapter 6. It is just under 5 minutes. Please watch and follow along with your book.

It is about how to measure the growth of your small group. In our last meeting, many of you were asking questions along these lines.  Keep pushing yourself as you become a better shepherd and leader of your group.

Let me know if you have any questions.

https://youtu.be/s-eZRCCErEA

Leading Life Changing Small Groups Chapter 5

Hi leaders,
Here is another very practical and helpful teaching video from Cree.
This is excellent and full of true and helpful guidelines.
It is just over 6 mintues long. Please watch!

Blessings.
Ethan

https://youtu.be/OX6wuyrsZ5o

Luke 23:26-56 The Two Sides Of the Cross March 25, 2018

This Sunday is Palm Sunday!  Pastor Ray will not be preaching on the typical Palm Sunday passage (entering Jerusalem) but will continue with the crucifixion narrative. This passage is amazing!

Highlights:
Simon gets roped into carrying Jesus cross, yet from what we can tell from the NT, he becomes a follower of Jesus. His plans were ruined as he planned to celebrate Passover, but this act made him unclean and unable to participate. His plans were changed, but so was his life.

Jesus teaches even until the very end. He loves, forgives, and saves. While the crowds were saying "Save yourself" Jesus turns and saves a criminal. Jesus was never about saving himself but always about saving the lost.

Creation mourns Jesus' death. Matthew gives even juicer details but Jesus' life and death touch everyone, alive and dead.

Joseph is a prominent member of the Sanhedrin who sentenced Jesus to death. Yet he went boldly to Pilate to ask for Jesus' body to give him a respectful burial. Joseph is a great example of a man who was silent in his faith, but this event broke him out of his private devotion to honor Jesus before all men. He could have been ashamed for not standing up for Jesus, but he found how own way at the perfect time. God has a place for slow, reluctant followers, nor does he give up on them.  Amen.

Here's the Leader's Guide and Participant's Guide. Enjoy your study.

Small Group Leaders Video on Tending to your Small Group Garden

Our own Cree Vang produced another video for your own training.
Your small group is a green house, not a factory. How can you care for your small group this semester?  Cree gives you some ideas all packed in 5 minutes.  Enjoy.

https://youtu.be/92POFnBJdI4

Let's participate in Christ's vision to build his church to bless this world.

Luke 23:1-25 The Blessing of Injustice March 18, 2018

This week's message is called, The Blessing of Injustice. Some people may think that is a typo because injustice can never be a good thing, however, it really depends on what side of justice you are on?

In today's Bible passage, there is a gross injustice as an innocent man is sentenced to a horrible death on a cross. However, because of this injustice, another man get's his freedom. Does this ring any bells? Does this sound familiar?  Could it be that we have more in common with a vile insurrectionist, robber, and murderer than we ever thought?

Here's the small group leader's guide and the participant's guide.

Also, please remember our small group leaders meeting at the Sunkist Campus on Sunday at 12:00 noon. We had a wonderful meeting in Brea last Sunday. Hope to see the rest of you there.

Blessings!

Luke 22:47-71 When Life Falls Apart March 11, 2018

This is one truly sad passage as Jesus is betrayed by one of his disciples and denied by another close friend. One of these men is eternally doomed and one finds forgiveness and hope. Even in Jesus final hours, he shows mercy and compassion.

Here's the leader's discussion guide and the participant's guide.

I hope it is helpful for you and your group.
God bless you all.

Small Group Leaders Update Meeting

We'd like to meet with you to see how things are going and get a quick update on your small groups. Please plan on being at one of these two meetings and invite your leadership team/spouses.  Lunch will be provided.  RSVP to me or Cree how many are going to attend (including children). 

March 11--Brea Campus at 12:30-1:30
March 18--Sunkist Campus at 12:00-1:00

Thank you. I look forward to seeing you there.

Luke 22:24-46 The Greatest: Serve and Suffer March 4, 2018

Hello Small Group Leaders,

Here's another small group discussion for this coming Sunday.
This is the last passage that Jesus has with his disciples before he endures the cross. He will touch on some topics related to being a servant and then he goes to the garden to struggle with God's will. In the end, he comes out obeying God and willingly submitting to the wrath that is sure to come. I hope this lesson is helpful to you and your small groups.

Please let me know how I can be praying for you and supporting you.

Here's the small group Leaders Guide and Participants Guide.

Small Group Training Video #3

Once again, Cree Vang has blessed us with a short chapter summary of Leading Life Changing Small Groups, chapter 3.
This is on finding and developing an apprentice to help lead your small group.

You can listen to his 3 minute video here.

Luke 22:7-38 The Last Supper February 25, 2018

This coming Sunday, Pastor Ray will speak on a familiar passage known as the Last Supper. There is a lot packed in this passage that will be fun and engaging to discuss with your group.

Here's the Leader's Guide and here's the Participants Guide.

Please let me know how your group is going and if there are any prayer request for me to remember.  Much love and appreciation!

Ethan

Small Group Video Training #2

Cree blessed us with another installment of our Leader Video Training based on the book, Leading Life Changing Small Groups.
Please take 5 minutes to watch and see what you can learn and sharpen your skills as a leader and shepherd.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-SjNhFfAZ4&t=5s

Luke 23:1-6 Betrayal of a Friend February 18, 2018

Good evening. Sorry to get this out to you so late, but I hope you have enough time to soak this in before your small group. This next passage is on the Judas Iscariot and his decision to betray Jesus. We know he got 30 coins for it, but there is a deeper motivation behind his action. This discussion will help understand Judas and his motivation to betray the Messiah.

Here's the Leader's Guide and the Participants Guide.

Luke 21:1-38 Living With Eternity In MInd. February 11, 2018

This Sunday we are back in the Gospel of Luke!  We'll delve into chapter 21 which is a tough chapter about the Lord's return. Pastor Ray is calling it Living With Eternity In Mind.

Here's a new leader's discussion guide that you can use this for your next group. I hope you enjoy!

Here's the new participants guide if you want to use that for your participants.

Hope you all have a great weekend.

Intersection: Faith and Community (Small Groups) February 4, 2018

Here's a quick small group discussion guide from last Sunday's sermon on Community.
I incorporated some of the questions from Cree's video. 

Small Group Video Training

Do you have four minutes and 11 seconds to grow as a small group leader?

Our own Cree Vang put together a video based on chapter one of Leading Life Changing Small Groups by Bill Donahue. Take a quick watch and learn about the importance of community and the purpose of a small group.

Enjoy the video here!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGSC6niW2ug

Small Group Training Guide

Hi Small Group leaders, In case you did not get this at the training, here is a pdf of our training guide.  Please take a look at it as it has many wonderful ideas and resources to use throughout the year.

As always, please let me know if you have any questions!

God bless.

Ethan

Faith and Culture January 28, 2018

Here's our last discussion of the current Intersection series. This one is on Faith and Culture. Hope you enjoy this discussion.

Intersection of Faith and Church. Sunday, January 21, 2018

Pastor Ray prepared a few questions for small groups to discuss how to live out your faith at church. It seems strange to live out faith at church, but what does this mean and look like?
Here's your discussion guide for this week.

Faith At Work (January 14, 2018)

Here are some small group discussion notes to use based on this Sundays sermon on Fatih at Work from Colossians 3:17-4:1. May God bless your discussion.

Please remember we have a small group leaders training/meeting on Sunday, January 28 from 12:30-3:30. Lunch will be served so please let me know if you can attend.

Faith In Action. January 7, 2018

Hi small group leaders,
I know some of you are on a break for January, but for those of you who are still carrying on, here is a small group discussion guide from Pastor Ray Chang for this coming Sunday. I hope it is a blessing to your groups.
Ethan